Cavaliers Insider Thinks Isaac Okoro Should Sign Qualifying Offer, Enter Unrestricted Free Agency Next Summer

Cleveland Cavaliers insider Jason Lloyd of The Athletic thinks Isaac Okoro should sign his qualifying offer and enter unrestricted free agency next summer.

Okoro is currently a restricted free agent. His qualifying offer is worth $11.8 million. 

“While those deals are an indication the Okoro negotiation could drag on for at least another month, I’m starting to believe Okoro’s best course of action might just be to sign the qualifying offer and enter unrestricted free agency next summer,” Lloyd wrote. “It’s rare for players in Okoro’s position to take the qualifying offer, but in this instance, it might be best for all parties. The Cavs would likely welcome him back for one more season at a manageable figure, knowing they were getting a motivated Okoro who would be playing for his next big payday.”

Okoro appeared in 69 games for the Cavaliers this past season. He averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 49.0% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc and 67.9% from the free-throw line. 

As a restricted free agent, Okoro can either re-sign with the Cavaliers or sign an offer sheet with another team. Cleveland would have 48 hours to match an offer sheet for Okoro.

The Cavaliers drafted Okoro with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Auburn. He has career averages of 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.4 blocks in 279 games. 

According to Evan Dammarell of Right Down Euclid, the Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Clippers could be interested in a sign-and-trade deal for Okoro. 

“League sources have expressed to Right Down Euclid that the Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Clippers are all teams who could be slowly, albeit eventually, brought to the table to negotiate in good faith on an Okoro-focused deal,” Dammarell reported. “It will all just take time, and unless things move at a glacial pace, a resolution on the Okoro front will eventually come for Cleveland.”